Ayew absence tempered by Payet’s return

Andre Ayew is set to be out for four months so misses Sunday’s home game against Bournemouth but Dimitri Payet should return.

Summer signing Ayew is unlikely to play again this year due to his untimely thigh injury but boss Slaven Bilic is expected to bring Payet back into his starting line-up after the France international was only named on the bench in the opening defeat at Chelsea.

Michail Antonio could be pushed further forward in Ayew’s absence, meaning Sam Byram may start at right-back, while Arthur Masuaku impressed at left-back at Chelsea and should keep his place.

Havard Nordtveit is expected to be deployed alongside Cheikhou Kouyate and Mark Noble in midfield, with Enner Valencia and Andy Carroll set to start up front, although recent signing Jonathan Calleri could keep his place in the starting line-up after his quick debut against Astra in Thursday’s Europa League play-off.